Are Sacramento’s most conservative Democrats too liberal for the Central Valley?

Presented by Center for Biological Diversity: Inside the Golden State political arena
Sep 25, 2024 View in browser
 
POLITICO California Playbook

By Lara Korte and Dustin Gardiner

Presented by Center for Biological Diversity

Central Valley Assembly members, Democrat Adam Gray, of Merced, center, and Republican Heath Flora of Ripon, right, confer during the Assembly session at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, May 27, 2022. Lawmakers had a Friday deadline to get their bills passed out of the house where they originated. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Democrat Adam Gray, center, and Republican Heath Flora, right, confer during a 2022 Assembly session at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. | AP

THE BUZZ: GASSED UP — Republicans in the Central Valley are knocking Rudy Salas and Adam Gray as tax-happy liberals willing to go along with whatever their party says.

That’s news to Democrats who worked with them in Sacramento.

“They brought me so much frustration when I was in the caucus,” said California Labor Federation head Lorena Gonzalez, who overlapped with both lawmakers in the Assembly before leaving to run the powerful labor group.

After spending years acting as moderate thorns in the sides of progressive Democrats, the two former assemblymembers challenging GOP Reps. David Valadao and John Duarte are now battling narratives from their Republican opponents that they’re too liberal, highlighting votes they took in the Legislature as evidence of their left-leaning bent.

In the fight for control of the House, Republicans are spending big to defend Valadao and Duarte, flooding the airwaves and lining the highways with ads highlighting their Democratic challengers’ records in the California Legislature.

“Adam Gray rhymes with ‘pay,’” declares one ad from the National Republican Congressional Committee. “He votes with his party bosses instead of us,” a Valadao ad says of Salas.

Those broadsides highlight the double-edged sword of being a Central Valley Democrat, or “Valleycrat.” Unlike their coastal counterparts in safe blue districts, they often find themselves stuck between the priorities of their Democratic colleagues and the views of their more moderate constituents and supporters.

While it’s true Salas and Gray both took votes that arguably increased the price of gas and other goods during their stints in Sacramento, both were prominent leaders of the moderate caucus, often hindering legislative pushes from their Democratic colleagues.

“We knew, those of us who served with them, that there was no way to count them as they're going to vote along with the governor, or they're going to vote along even with the caucus,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez, who is now campaigning for both Democrats in the Central Valley, famously berated Salas on the Assembly floor in 2017 during a tense, late-night push to approve a gas tax. Salas had decided to vote against the increase, throwing the chamber into chaos — and then-Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan into jeopardy.

The tax proposal passed, but that vote would end up costing Salas the chairmanship of a prime committee. 

Gonzalez acknowledged she frequently disagreed with the two lawmakers in the Legislature, but said that they have both shown up for important workers’ rights issues.

“Who thought I'd be spending this election season being a cheerleader for Adam Gray and Rudy Salas?” Gonzalez joked.

There is a long tradition of Democratic leaders doling out punishments to the members who break ranks and jeopardize the caucus agenda. Then-Speaker Karen Bass once banished Assemblymember Nicole Parra to an office building across the street from the Capitol after the Hanford Democrat refused to vote for a caucus spending plan.

Last year, Speaker Anthony Rendon temporarily removed Jasmeet Bains from the Business and Professions Committee after she went against the party during a debate on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s oil profits penalty.  

"They would take enormous shit in the caucuses from their fellow members," recalls David Townsend, a longtime moderate Democratic consultant often dubbed the "Mod Father" of Sacramento. "It's just comical that [Salas and Gray] would be attacked as being 'left.' Most of the time they were attacked for not being ‘real Democrats’."

Gray, in a statement, argued that he fought against “state water grabs,” increased funding for public safety and led a bipartisan effort to suspend the gas tax.

“While Duarte’s lackeys are trying to cover up his terrible record — restricting women’s rights, gutting funding for veterans and seniors, and backing a massive cut to programs for farmers and rural communities across our district — it’s clear that John can’t fool Valley voters any longer,” he said.

Even if they are “two of the most conservative Democrats ever to serve in the Legislature,” as Townsend put it, Republicans say hitting Salas and Gray for votes they took in office are fair game — and an important data point for voters.

“To me, it's not much different than attacking a fairly mainstream Republican for being too Trumpy, or supporting having voted for Trump,” said Republican consultant Rob Stutzman. 

Duane Dichiara, a consultant for the Duarte campaign, said Gray’s vote for the gas tax means Californians will pay more for basic goods.

“He can say anything he wants, but that's what he did,” he said.

GOOD MORNING. Happy Wednesday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook.

You can text us at ‪916-562-0685‬‪ — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on X — @DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte.

WHERE’S GAVIN? In Los Angeles County to sign legislation related to oversight of oil and gas wells.

A message from Center for Biological Diversity:

You know what's rich? Billionaire oil companies who hike up the price of energy to boost profits trying to blame high rates on California. There IS a better way: Abundant clean energy and independence from greedy oil companies. Learn more.

 


TWEET OF THE DAY — If you’re a fraudster looking to spend on Lorena Gonzalez’s dime, remember that there’s no way the California Labor Federation president would be caught shopping in famously anti-union Walmart.

A tweet from California labor leader Lorena Gonzalez about her credit card number being stolen.

STATE CAPITOL

A sign at a Sinclair gas station is seen next to an Arco gas station advertising gasoline prices.

A sign at a Sinclair gas station is seen next to an Arco gas station advertising gasoline prices, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. | Ryan Sun/AP

THIS JUST IN — The Assembly will hear three bills during its special session on gas prices, POLITICO’s Alex Nieves scooped. 

Assembly Rules Chair Blanca Pacheco said that in addition to Newsom’s proposal that would require refiners to store more fuel to prevent price spikes, the Assembly will hear a bill from Republican Leader James Gallagher that would let state regulators switch to cheaper winter-blend fuel earlier in the year.

It will also consider a new bill from Cottie Petrie-Norris, chair of the special-session Petroleum Gasoline and Supply Committee, that would require the California Air Resources Board to complete its review of whether drivers should be allowed to use gasoline that has a higher percentage of ethanol by the end of 2025. She introduced that bill Tuesday as ABX2-9.

The bills will be heard at the Petroleum Gasoline and Supply Committee’s hearing Thursday. If they’re approved by the Assembly, it could bring back the state Senate, which has vowed to sit on the sidelines until the lower chamber passes legislation.

 

A message from Center for Biological Diversity:

Advertisement Image

 
IN THE COURTS

PARODY POLITICS — California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed the state’s first response to a lawsuit challenging two new deepfake laws, opposing an internet personality’s request that the court temporarily block California from enforcing a law that would prohibit convincing digital imitations of political figures around elections.

The plaintiff in the suit, Christopher Kohls, aka Mr Reagan on X, has been at the center of a debate over the use of AI-generated material in elections since he posted the video in July, calling it a parody of a Harris campaign ad. It features AI-generated clips mimicking Harris’ voice and saying she’s the “ultimate diversity hire.” X owner Elon Musk shared the video without calling it parody, attracting the ire of Newsom, who vowed to ban such content.

Kohls filed the suit within hours of the bill signing last week, arguing the law violates his First and 14th Amendment rights.

Bonta, in the filing this week, argued that the law is constitutionally sound.

“The Legislature concluded that the regulations of AB 2839 were narrowly tailored to prevent deception and further the State’s compelling interest in free and fair elections,” the filing read.

The case could take months to reach a resolution, but it highlights a pressing dilemma facing government and social media companies ahead of an election. Platforms for years have faced pressure to limit or remove deceptive material online, but in recent months courts have favored giving the websites autonomy over what users see in their feeds.

This summer the Supreme Court threw two state laws attempting to regulate social-media companies back to lower courts, saying the First Amendment protects tech platforms from government interference. 

CAMPAIGN YEAR

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: AD-DING UP — The pricey Los Angeles airwaves are getting even more crowded, with gun safety group GIFFORDS dropping $1.1 million against GOP Rep. Mike Garcia. Garcia, one of the Democrats’ top targets, is fending off a challenge from former Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides.

The group, which has committed $15 million overall to boost Kamala Harris and pro-gun safety House candidates including Orange County Democrat Dave Min, has produced a pair of ads blasting Garcia as “too extreme” — both for backing legislation that amounted to a national abortion ban and for voting against closing loopholes for gun background checks.

“California families want safe communities, but Mike Garcia opposes common-sense solutions like closing loopholes that let dangerous people get their hands on guns. He is fundamentally out of step with Californians,” said GIFFORDS Executive Director Emma Brown. — Melanie Mason

A message from Center for Biological Diversity:

You know what's rich? Billionaire oil companies who hike up the price of energy to boost profits trying to blame high rates on California. There IS a better way: Abundant clean energy and independence from greedy oil companies. Learn more.

 
CLIMATE AND ENERGY

FUEL TO THE FLAMES — The revelation that an alleged Cal Fire arsonist graduated from California’s inmate firefighter camps is a double whammy as the state struggles to defend both its sentencing reforms and its fire-prone communities. Read more in yesterday’s California Climate.

Top Talkers

BARBARA LEE ON THE A’S — Why couldn’t Rep. Barbara Lee save the Athletics from leaving Oakland? Jim Jordan and a lack of outside support were part of the problem, Lee told the Los Angeles Times. And when asked which of the five stages of grief she’s in over the team’s move to Las Vegas, she answered: “Nowhere near acceptance. That’s for darn sure.”

MORE AIDS FOUNDATION DRAMA — The nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation received $10 million from the federal government this month to promote tenant organizing at low-income developments. That’s rich, some renters say, given they accuse the foundation, including AHF President Michael Weinstein, of blocking residents’ efforts to organize a tenant union while failing to upkeep properties. (Los Angeles Times)

AROUND THE STATE


— Employees at a CVS pharmacy in San Bernardino County have filed a petition to unionize. (Los Angeles Times)

— The number of low-income undocumented students enrolled in California public universities dropped nearly 50 percent over six years, according to a UC study. (EdSource)

— Law schools say they have “grave concerns” about California’s effort to revamp the state’s bar exam. (San Francisco Chronicle)

— The gun used in the shooting of 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall last month during an attempted robbery in Union Square that left him wounded was purchased legally in Arizona. (San Francisco Chronicle)

PLAYBOOKERS

WEDDING BELLS — Michael Dyar, legislative director for Assemblymember Damon Connolly, married Megan Humphries, an attorney at Children’s Law Center, on Sept. 21. They were married at the Sterling Hotel in midtown Sacramento. Comment from the groom: “This is easily Michael’s greatest accomplishment in his life. They’re on their way to Italy for a long honeymoon.”

PEOPLE MOVES — Peter Ambler has joined Pano AI as vice president of global government affairs. The San Francisco-based startup uses ultra-high-definition cameras and AI to detect wildfires and allow responders to snuff them out more quickly. Ambler was previously executive director and co-founder of Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization, and is a veteran of the Energy Department and Capitol Hill.

Nick Ortiz will be the next senior vice president for corporate communications & public affairs at Tejon Ranch Company. He was previously vice president of small business advocacy for the California Chamber of Commerce.

BIRTHDAYS — State Sen. Tom Umberg (favorite cake flavor: carrot) … Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (favorite b-day dessert: berry cobbler) … Patrick Le with the Assembly budget team… Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) (8-0) … Danny Yadron Lauren Loftus… 

WANT A SHOUT-OUT FEATURED? — Send us a birthday, career move or another special occasion to include in POLITICO’s California Playbook. You can now submit a shout-out using this Google form.

CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here.

Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Rebecca Haase to find out how: rhaase@politico.com.

 

Follow us on Twitter

Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner

Lara Korte @lara_korte

 

Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family

Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook

View all our political and policy newsletters

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Listen on Apple Podcast
 

To change your alert settings, please log in at https://login.politico.com/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com/settings

This email was sent to salenamartine360.news1@blogger.com by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA

Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post